Small wonder

Two-and-a-half-year-old Advait Kolarkar’s prodigious artistic talent is all set to be displayed at an exhibition in the city

The walls of the Kolarkar house in Pimple Saudagar are covered with doodles — pastels, sketchpens and crayon work — all done by two-and-a-half-yearold Advait. “I told my son to at least spare the living room, but to no avail,” laughed Amit Kolarkar, Advait’s father, while the prodigy in question ran from room to room, arranging fruit and occasionally hopping up on the couch.

Nothing about his childish energy gives away the fact that he has been producing astonishing artwork since he was about eight months old. His work has even grabbed the attention of Subhash Pawar at Darpan art gallery, who recommended that an exhibition be put up in the city — a thought which is set to come to fruition at Art2Day Studio on Bhandarkar Road, from November 13 to 18.

Advait’s talent was first noticed by his mother, Shruti, a commercial artist herself. She took his paintings to Darpan, where Subhash Pawar took it to his daughter-in-law, Priyamvada, who owns Art2Day. “I was in disbelief. My first reaction was that since his mother is a painter too, it must be her work. But then we went home to see him paint and I was utterly astounded,” she said. Priyamvada then recommended that they watch him for a few months and asked his parents to film Advait as he painted. Observing that he clung to this passion, it was decided that the gallery would host a showing of his work on Children’s Day.

For all his talent, Advait is a child in every other way. Somewhat shy with strangers and showing an antipathy towards his milk till his favourite phone app has been opened. Mother Shruti, who is currently on a sabbatical, turns on a slide show charting Advait’s creative curve. “Advait would paint with his sister when he was barely eight months old. I was always afraid he would eat the colours so I gave him food colouring to play. He would be completely engrossed in colouring. By the end of it, he was always extremely satisfied. I soon realised that he actually tries to make patterns on the canvas,” said Shruti.

Advait was slowly introduced to colours and larger canvases as his parents observed his natural affinity towards art. “He doesn’t leave anything unfinished. He will sit until his piece is complete and will not mess with it afterwards,” Shruti said.

With careful tutelage, Advait’s artistic etiquette has evolved to the extent where he can now differentiate between different shades of the same colour. Even as he jumped around his father, asking him for stories of his recent trip to Paris, he named naples yellow, lemon yellow and crimson and scarlet. When his mother asked him about the different shades of brown — “Burnt sienna and raw sienna,” Advait said promptly and hid behind his father.

He has also developed a way to select his own colours, by literally bathing in them. To feel the texture and gauge the tone, he first applies it on his own body and then mixes colours. His experimentation curve is only climbing, with him painting four canvases a day sometimes. “His paintings are now taking form, he shapes them out of his observations. Earlier, he had difficulty voicing what he wants to paint. After he began speaking, he could tell us. For instance, he can articulate that he wants to paint a dragon and follow up on it,” Shruti said. She has also observed that Advait used cool colours during summers and warmer hues during winter. “It’s fascinating — kids have such unique perspectives,” she smiled.

To groom his innate talent, Advait’s parents have turned the balcony of their house into a studio, complete with colours and canvases. Advait spends a considerable amount of time in this space, painting in different mediums. His mother photographs him quite often and has successfully procured candid shots of her camera-shy child.

Having giving him space to explore his talent, the Kolarkars also plan to give him room to make his own decisions about the future — which may not include art. “Even if he chooses to be an engineer, he will have the freedom to do so,” Amit said.

Priyamvada, who is busy readying the gallery for the show, told
Mirrorover the phone that the exhibition is coming to life mainly due to Shruti’s support. “Shruti could have easily held his hand and taught him to draw. However, she let him enjoy the art in his way. Kids should be allowed to enjoy art forms — creativity is a positive sentiment,” she said.

For Advait’s parents the exhibition epitomises the kind of freedom every developing child should have. “We agreed to the exhibition hoping that every parent is inspired to let their children pursue their passions,” Amit said.

█ Advait would paint with his sister when he was barely eight months old. I was always afraid he would eat the colours so I gave him food colouring to play

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